Medak (మెదక్) - 3 | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Tourist Places

• Built in the 12th century, the Edupayalu Vana Durga Bhavani temple stands as a renowned pilgrim destination dedicated to Goddess Kanakadurga. Nestled amidst verdant forests and natural rock formations, this picturesque shrine is situated within a den. The temple's significance stems from its location at the convergence of seven streams into the Manjeera River, giving rise to the name Edupayala, signifying 'seven streams'. Annually, approximately 30 lakhs devotees visit this site, not just from Telangana but also from nearby regions like Karnataka and Maharashtra, to pay homage to Goddess Durga.
• Legend has it that Maharaja Parikshit, the grandson of the legendary warrior Arjuna from the Mahabharata, conducted a 'Sarpa Yagya' to alleviate a curse. During the transportation of snakes used in the ritual by Garuda, the eagle carrier, it is believed that their blood dripped at seven distinct spots, forming the streams. A recent discovery during bridge construction revealed a layer of ash beneath the Manjeera riverbed.
• The temple is renowned for Jatara (fair), a vibrant three-day celebration held during Shivaratri in February. This grand event attracts over 500,000 pilgrims, with devotees setting up temporary shelters around the Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani temple. During the rainy season, the river swells, reaching the base of the goddess statue, offering a spectacular sight that draws thousands of worshippers to Edupayala.

How to Reach

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad (146 km from Medak) is the closest airport. From Medak to Edupayala, the distance is 19.5 km. Buses and taxis are readily available for transportation.
• Medak lacks a railway station. Akkannapet (19.1 km) and Kamareddy (60 km) serve as the nearest railheads, connecting to major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Taxis, cabs, and buses are accessible from the railheads to Medak.
• Regular buses operated by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) connect Medak to Hyderabad, Warangal, and other important towns. Buses are available from various cities to Medak.

Kuchadri Venkateshwara Swamy temple

• Situated in Kuchanapalli village of Medak district, Telangana State, this ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, revered by worshippers and visitors alike as a sacred divine site.
• Located on the western outskirts of Kuchanapalli village atop a hillock, the temple, known locally as "Kuchadri," is renowned for its unique feature requiring visitors to navigate between two large rocks to access the sanctum sanctorum where daily rituals are performed by priests. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateshwara (Srinivas), accompanied by his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Archaeological Significance

• Importance of the Temple: The historical temple holds significant value in unraveling the architectural heritage of Medak's temples within their historical backdrop. For instance, the Kuchadri Venkateshwara Swamy temple, situated atop a hillock, provides insights into the architectural styles prevalent in the region.
• The Sacred Tank (Koneru): Adjacent to the temple, towards the North East direction of the hillock, lies a sacred tank known as Koneru. This tank, marked by a square layout and steps primarily in the eastern and southern directions, remains filled with water throughout the year. Devotees hold a belief that numerous natural springs replenish this tank with fresh water.
• Four-Pillared Mandapams: Visitors are captivated by the presence of two four-pillared mandapams situated on the southern and northern sides of the sacred tank. These structures add to the picturesque charm of the hillock, showcasing architectural remnants from centuries past.
• Architectural Significance: The temple's ruins in the Medak district carry archaeological importance, shedding light on the construction techniques employed in religious edifices during ancient times. Despite the absence of detailed historical records, the temple's age is estimated to be around the 10th to 11th Century A.D. based on the stylistic features observed in loose sculptures and pillared mandapams.

How to Reach

• The nearest airport to Kuchadri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, which is 146 km away from Medak. From Medak to Kuchanpally, the distance is 6 km. Buses and taxis are readily available from Medak to the destination.
• Medak does not have its own railway station. The closest railheads are Akkannapet (19.1 km away) and Kamareddy (60 km away) from Medak. These stations have numerous trains connecting to major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Nanded, Vizag, and Hyderabad. Taxis, cabs, and buses are accessible from the railway stations to reach Medak.
• Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) operates frequent bus services to Medak, linking it to Hyderabad, Warangal, Siddipet, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Sangareddy. Buses are available from all significant towns and cities to Medak.

Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple

• The Ailavajjala family of Bhaaradwaaja gotra, residing in Paatakoduru village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, was renowned for producing numerous esteemed individuals well-versed in the Shakta cult, dedicated to the worship of Mother Goddess. Born in 1917 into this family, Shree Venkataramanayya emerged as a prominent authority in the tradition of Shakti worship. Blessed by the Goddess Mukkantamma, the family and village deity, he excelled in various fields including Ayurveda, Astrology, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Vyaakarana. 
• Additionally, he displayed remarkable skills in poetry, particularly in Avadhaanam, showcasing extraordinary memory power and poetic prowess. Traveling extensively for a decade across the country, he spent a significant period in Srishailam, offering daily Abhishekam to goddess Bhramaraamba with water fetched from the Paataalaganga, a river thousand steps deep below river Krishna. Despite his eminence, his lifestyle, dietary habits, and attire remained exceedingly modest, earning him great reverence and affection from disciples who affectionately addressed him as Ayyagaaru.
• In 1968, Ayyagaaru established the Sri Chamundeshwari Seva Samithi Shaaktamandal. Since its inception, the organization has conducted a monthly worship program called Samaavesham, dedicated to the worship of Sri Chamundeshwari according to the Telugu calendar. During this event, the deity is worshipped in the form of a photo along with a holy vessel known as Kalasham and Shreechakram. The program includes recitation of sacred scriptures, the performance of rituals such as the Homam (fire sacrifice) of Saptashati, Kumaripooja, and Mahapooja throughout the night. 
• Some celebrations extend for three to five days and are held at various sacred sites such as Kashi, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, and Badarinath Pushkarraj. Members of the Samithi attend these events at their own expense and actively participate in rendering service. Particularly grand events include a five-day program at Alampur, the divine abode of goddess Jogulaamba, featuring the lighting of one lakh lamps, and another five-day program at Feelkhana in Hyderabad for the installation of Shri Tripurasundari, conducted on an unparalleled scale.
• Ayyagaaru emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean and pure mind over traditional practices, and he prioritized Annadanam (feeding) over popularly followed Tantric practices within the Shakta cult. He believed that treating all women as mothers was a fundamental requirement for a devotee of the Shakta tradition. Ayyagaaru passed away on January 31, 1988. Following his passing, his son, Shree Subrahmanya Shastry, has been effectively managing both the Samithi and the temple.

Installation of Sri Chamundeshwari Devi idol

• During the ongoing monthly celebrations, Ayyagaru conceived the idea of establishing a temple dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari Devi. After surveying various locations, he chose the eastern bank of the Manjeera River near Chitkul village in Chilipiched Mandal, Medak district. The chosen land underwent purification rituals, including plowing and sacred rites. The stone for the idol was sourced from the rocks near Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district, Telangana. Skilled sculptors from Tamil Nadu crafted the idol of Sri Chamundeshwari Devi, which stands at nine feet tall with eighteen arms and an ornate crown. The consecration ceremony took place on January 2, 1983, coinciding with the Ananda year, Pushya month, and the seventh day of the black fortnight. Despite being held at night, the installation ceremony attracted thousands of devotees.
• Typically, temples are fully constructed before installing the idol. However, in this case, the idol was installed first, followed by ongoing construction of the temple and other facilities. Despite this unconventional approach, the progress of construction, the continued provision of free food to visiting devotees, and the increasing number of devotees are all remarkable. Ayyagaru's vision of it becoming a second Varanasi appears to be on track given the developments.
• Opposite the Chamundeshwari Devi idol, three other idols of Brahmi, Kaali, and Vaishnavi have been installed. Devotees believe that their desires can be fulfilled through various forms of worship. Some methods include taking a bath overhead and circumambulating the temple eleven or more times without wiping the body or changing clothes, or offering a coconut wrapped in cloth as mudupu.

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad (146 km far from Medak) is the nearest airport. The distance to reach Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple from Medak to Chitkul village is 32.2 Kms. Buses/Taxi are available from Medak to the destination.
• Akkannapet railway station is 51 kms from Chitkul village. Lingampally Railway Station is 64 km and Secunderabad Railway Junction is 81kms.
• Jogipet Bus Station is 6.8 kms, Medak bus stand is 32 kms, and Sangareddy bus stand is 37.4 kms from Chitkul temple. The temple is 96km from Hyderabad. Take NH9 Mumbai highway. Pass Patancheru and head towards Sangareddy. At Sangareddy X road, take a right turn towards Medak. Reach Jogipet, which is 32 km from Sangareddy X road. The temple is situated 7km from Jogipet on the Medak Road. By bus, you can hop on to Narayankhed Express service, get down at Jogipet. The temple is located 7km from Jogipet. You will find many auto rickshaws to get to the temple or get on to another bus, which is going to Medak. Hyderabad to Medak buses via Patancheru/Sangareddy will stop at the temple upon request.